Indiana Fever rookie Stephanie Mavunga impresses in WNBA debut

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Chicago Sky guard Chelsea Hopkins (5) grimaces in pain as she fights for a loose ball with Indiana Fever forward Bashaara Graves (12) in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 79-65. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever center Kayla Alexander (40) reaches for a rebound over Chicago Sky's Linnae Harper (23) and Alaina Coates (41) in the second half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 79-65. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever forward Natalie Achonwa (11) is fouled pulling in a rebound by Chicago Sky forward Jordan Hooper (35) and Chicago Sky Gabby Williams (15) in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Freddy Fever takes a photo with some of his fans in the second half of the Indiana Fever WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 79-65. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever's Alexis Peterson (9) high-fives her teammates following their WNBA preseason basketball game against the Chicago Sky at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 79-65. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever forward Natalie Achonwa (11) fights for a rebound with Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2) in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

School kids enjoy their field trip to the Indiana Fever game against the Chicago Sky in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever guard Tiffany Mitchell (3) is helped by the Fever medial staff after she was hit in the face by a Chicago Sky player in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever guard Victoria Vivians (35) puts up a three-point attempt in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever forward Bashaara Graves (12) fights for a loose ball with Chicago Sky guard Chelsea Hopkins (5) in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

Indiana Fever guard Victoria Vivians (35) has her shot blocked by Chicago Sky forward Gabby Williams (15) in the second half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 79-65. Matt Kryger/IndyStar

In her professional debut for the Indiana Fever, the 2013 IndyStar Miss Basketball out of Brownsburg, provided a critical spark off the bench in the team's exhibition opener against the Chicago Sky at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday.

Mavunga, the team's second-round pick in last month's WNBA draft, scored a game-high 18 points, helping the Fever to a 79-65 win.

Fever coach Pokey Chatman said she didn’t think the Ohio State product looked like a rookie.

“She played like she’s played her entire life; to her strength,” Chatman said. “Everything was in the paint, everything was aggressive. Rebounding out of her area, offensive rebounds.”

Shooting 7-of-10 from the field, Mavunga also pulled down eight rebounds, including four on the offensive end.

Mavunga outperformed the Fever's two first-round picks: Kelsey Mitchell (No. 2 overall) and Victoria Vivians (No. 8 overall). Mitchell, the second-leading scorer in women's college basketball history, finished with eight points on 2-of-12 shooting in her WNBA debut. Vivians had five points and three rebounds.

In her first game for the Fever, Mavunga lived up to her nickname.

“They are always laughing at me because I’m always smiling,” she said. “So, I’m always smiling about something and I really kind of show all my teeth. I just always have this energy and I’m always talking regardless.”

Indiana Fever guard Tiffany Mitchell (3) drives by Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley (14) and Alex Montgomery (6) in the first half of their WNBA preseason basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, May 7, 2018. (Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)

Mitchell has played with Mavunga for years at Ohio State. Mitchell believes Mavunga’s energy is what sets her apart.

“She’s always on the boards, she’s always energized to make the next play, get that block, get that rebound,” Mitchell said. “That’s not going to change because her energy is so up high.

At Ohio State, Mavunga played the five position, but Chatman asked her to play the four Monday. It was just another part of the rookie learning curve.

“I put her out there at the four position and her game didn’t drop," Chatman said. "She’s having to think a different position.”

A new position is just a small part of the adjustment to the WNBA, though she said she wasn’t nervous heading into her first game because her teammates helped instill her with confidence.

Yet, when the game started, she got a dose of reality of life as a pro.

“Honestly, when I got out there it was a little bit different,” Mavunga said. “I got hit by (Stefanie) Dolson on the first play, so I kind of was like, ‘Ok, we’re here and the game has started.”

In Year 2 post-Tamika Catchings, the Fever will rely heavily on youth. Indiana had its streak of consecutive years making the playoffs snapped at 12 last season and the Fever plunged to 11th place, finishing 9-25 in 2017.

“We’re in a unique situation in terms of a franchise in a true opportunity to make a mark and stick,” Chatman said. “That’s not always prevalent in a league with 12 teams. They have a tremendous opportunity.”